Sunday, January 7, 2007
Xcel plans expansion of Becker power plant
BECKER (AP) - Xcel Energy Inc. wants to increase the amount of power generated at its coal-fired power plant here, the largest in Minnesota, while reducing its emissions.
Resume tips
LENGTH: For most professionals and middle managers, a resume should be no longer than two pages, says Ken Soha, vice president of career management consulting with Right Management Consultants. Make it specific to the job for which you are applying.
A work in progress
Work is progressing on the Northwoods Plaza of Baxter. The new retail space is going up along Forthun Road next to Home Depot, with Nor-son providing construction services.
Resume bloopers: fated for circular file
WASHINGTON - We all have those job-seeker cringes. Tripping into a potential boss just as she extends her hand to shake. Calling an interviewer by the wrong name. Sending a resume with the wrong telephone number.
Organized to organize
When Lettie Fundanet was invited on sleepovers as a little girl, she offered to help her friends organize their bedrooms.
Business notes
Helping You Hear, an audiology and hearing center in Brainerd, has expanded with its second clinic in Perham.
Want to get organized?
Want to get organized? Here are a few tips from Everything in its Place in Baxter:
Getty buys National Car Sales operation
National Car Sales and National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-a-Car has a new owner with a familiar name in the area's auto industry.
Kicking it around
A Q&A with Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell by sports copy editor Trevor Williams.
MEETING
Crosslake council to meet
AGENDAS
Meets 9:30 a.m. Tuesday
Even more Eclectic
Brainerds new house of rock (and folk and punk and metal and bluegrass) is open. The Dispatch chronicles the opening at the new Eclectic Cafe.
2007 road projects
Several big road projects are scheduled to start in theBrainerd area this spring.
CRIME
THEFT - Dale Walters of Nisswa Wednesday reported the theft of power and hand tools, a two-seater go-cart and four Monster Mudder tires with rims.
BIRTHS
Paul and Heidi Haddix, Backus, a boy, George Armond, 8 pounds, 3 ounces, Dec. 22, 2006. Grandparents are Stan and Millie Grunenwald, Grand Rapids, and the late Terrill and Anita Haddix.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Brainerd Alateen
MUCH OBLIGED
The Youth As Resources Board thanks everyone in the community who helped make this year's Brunch with Santa the best brunch ever! Thanks to ISD #181 Community Ed, the Golden Age Gift Shop from the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, the Just For Kix Dancers, Wal-Mart, Target, BL Broadcasting, 3WI, Brainerd Rotary Foundation, Brainerd Area Sertoma, Brainerd Eagles, Baxter Lions, Brainerd Lions, Kiwanis, Bremer Bank, Northern National Bank, Mid-MN Federal Credit Union, VIP Floral, Bob & Fran's Furniture, volunteers from Girl Scouts, Forestview Builders Club, FFA and, of course, Santa!
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
How to keep kids busy on a long winter day
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Its a long winter afternoon, you want to stay inside, and the kids are raring to do something new.
WITH THE MILITARY
Air Force Airman Nathan R. Netko, son of Richard and Patricia Netko, Pequot Lakes, recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Dance lessons set for singles
Salsa and ChaCha dance lessons for singles will be offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the American Legion in Brainerd. Cost: $5.
SUPPORT
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
Volunteer opportunities for January 2007
BETHANY GOOD SAMARITAN Laleen Gorges 855-6630
Youth volunteer of the month
Hometown: Las Vegas, has lived in Brainerd for two years.
They're still waiting for perfect present
School is back in session and the Christmas decorations have been put away. Many of us are using the lasted "techie" device that we got for Christmas or we are proudly wearing new clothes that were a holiday gift.
This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1977) - Tonight's low here is expected to be between 25 and 35 below zero. Brained oil dealers say their supplies are adequate to meet the demand now but are apprehensive about the supply should cold weather continue throughout the winter.
ASK THE TROOPER:
Question: Someone told me the Move-Over Law changed. I knew about the law before, but if it changed, what is the law now?
Adult volunteer of the month
Hometown: Brainerd.
4 defeated GOP legislators, 1 DFLer land posts
ST. PAUL (AP) - Four Republican legislators and one DFLer turned out by voters in November earned new assignments in state government this week from Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration.
Body identified in Aitkin murder case
AITKIN - The woman's body found Tuesday in Aitkin County near McGregor has been identified as Eva Mae Mitchell, 73, McGregor.
County attorney: Sluss may have valid complaint
Unfair campaign practice charges leveled by unsuccessful District 12 Senate candidate Terry Sluss will be sent to the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings, Sluss said Friday.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Dr. Paul Milloy, East Gull Lake, was selected as the recipient of the fourth annual Human Rights Award by the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission.
All in the Family YMCA
Most people simply refer to it as the "Y," but family plays an integral role at the aptly named Brainerd Family YMCA.
Richard Christianson
STAPLES - Richard Christianson, age 84, of Staples, died Thursday evening, Jan. 4, 2007, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples.
Rita Otremba
LITTLE FALLS - Rita Otremba, age 71, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Eva Mitchell
Visitation for Eva May Mitchell, 73, of McGregor, will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, in the East Lake Ceremonial Building and will continue until the 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, funeral service in the ceremonial building.
Kenneth Minor
LAKE SHORE - Kenneth Minor, 79, of Lake Shore and Champlin, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hospice in St. Paul. A memorial gathering will be Friday, Jan. 12, 2-4 p.m. at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Memorials are preferred to the hospice.
Deloris Bereuter
Deloris Bereuter, age 79, a resident of Brainerd, passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Thelma Esther Johnson
Thelma Esther Johnson, Brainerd, 92, passed away peacefully, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Open Forum: Vehicle exhaust can be as bad as smoking
I do not understand what the people today are thinking! Everyday now for quite some time, I read all these people writing the Open Forum about people smoking. They saw someone smoking in a vehicle with a child, they saw this and that.
VOX POP
Before the community accepts the apology from the boys that vandalized property and terrorized people, their names should have been signed to the apology. Minors and their parents should be held accountable and names published. Maybe this would curb some of the crime that goes on.
Voice your opinions to lawmakers at the state Capitol
Rep. John Ward
OUR OPINION: CONSTRUCTION
While everyone appreciates better roads and infrastructure, road construction itself is dreaded by most motorists as much as a trip to the dentist for root canal work.
ATV club to meet in Crosby
CROSBY - The Cuyuna Iron Range Riders all-terrain vehicle club will meet on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Spalding House, 1 W. Main St., Crosby.
Ten simple things you can do to go green
Its easy being green.
Minnesota Fishing Report
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
2006 was a year to remember, now let's bring on 2007
The past year zipped by faster than any other, but it was a good year for fishing.
In Vermont, plan emerges to begin saving trees, planting for future
PEACHAM, Vt. (AP) - In this hilltop hamlet, shade trees have always been part of the appeal.
Overheard
I call it our remote-control society. If kids dont like it, they hit a button and change it. They have a hard time sitting on a bucket and looking at a bobber.
Amateur explorers stalk extreme trees
HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK, Calif. (AP) - Equipped with a laser range finder, a head for numbers and an explorers zeal, Michael Taylor has made a sport of finding and sizing up the tallest species on the planet - Californias ancient coast redwoods.
'Concerned about an important tradition'
ST. PAUL (AP) - The average Minnesotan angler is getting older because there are fewer young people picking up the sport, a study found, which could mean trouble for the state's huge sport fishing industry.
Five generations
Five generations recently gathered were Olivia Peterson, daughter; Taya Peterson, mother; Cheryl Hanson, grandmother; Theora Dunemann, great-grandmother; and Lila LaVoie, great-great-grandmother.
Kevin and Tara Valley
Tara Selisker and Kevin Valley were married Aug. 5, 2006, at Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge in Bemidji with Kevin Cease officiating.
DANIEL AND SAMANTHA OLSON
Samantha Engen and Daniel Olson were married Oct. 14, 2006, at Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, S.D.
Jeannie K. Volk and Dale R. Williams
Jeannie K. Volk and Dale R. Williams announce their engagement. Parents are Michael Volk, Pine River, and Cindy Aldridge, Seattle, Wash., and Jeffery and Brenda Williams, Eden Prairie. A Feb. 3 wedding is planned at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Backus.
Four generations
Four generations recently gathered were Annika Nguyen, daughter; Stacy Nguyen, mother; Janet Bedard, mother; and Ruth Bedard, great-grandmother.
Bryan and Claire Feldhaus
Claire Owens and Bryan Feldhaus were married Aug. 18, 2006, at St. Francis in Brainerd with Father Seamus Walsh and Father Ralph O'Donnell officiating.
Ryan and Beth Burggraff
Beth Baker and Ryan Burggraff were married June 24, 2006, at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul with Monsignor Jim Habiger officating.
Belva Mehaffey
Belva Mehaffey, Woodland Good Samaritan Village resident, will celebrate her 105th birthday on Jan. 13.
Five generations
Five generations recently gathered were Emery Humphrey, great-great-grandfather; Joyce and Gary Humphrey, great-grandparents; Tammy Hulke; Monica Abraham, mother; and Amanda Rugroden, mother; and Monica's children, Tristen, Madison and Chance; and Amanda's children, Ethan and Skyler.
Tracie Beauchamp and Jeremy Linden
Tracie Beauchamp and Jeremy Linden announce their engagement. Parents are John and Marvil Beauchamp, Baxter, and Bruce and Kathy Linden, Princeton. A July 28 wedding is planned in Princeton.
BIR Northstar Snocross
Where: Brainerd International Raceway
Next Gophers coach needs to make connection
Glen Mason accomplished what few of his predecessors as head football coach at the University of Minnesota did - he won.
Scoreboard
Area events
Abrahamson believes her luck is changing
It's the curse of the snowmobile.
Howard's scoring leads Pequot
It's a simple formula - When Mindy Howard scores a lot of points the Pequot Lakes Patriots win.
Stage set for Tuesday for Pequot Lakes vs. C-I
The holiday season is not over yet as the best boys' basketball rivalry in Crow Wing County is days away.
Aitkin rolls to 16th straight conference win
BRAHAM - Justin Chouanard and Nathan Cummings both tallied pins for Class 1A's fourth-ranked Aitkin Gobblers wrestling team as it defeated Braham 50-15 for its 16th-straight Great River Conference victory Friday.
BOWLING
Paul Bunyan Bowl
Free throw contest scheduled
The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a free-throw contest for boys and girls ages 10-14 in January.
Lennon's 24 points pace Pillager
VERNDALE - Joe Lennon scored 24 points and Tyler Holbrook and Dexter Mudgett each added 10 for the Pillager Huskies in a 65-61 Park Region Conference boys' basketball victory over the Verndale Pirates Friday.
Aitkin's Christensen perfect at Clash
Matt Christensen has an agenda.
Bonsante's stalking of Vanda ends Friday
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota middleweight champion Anthony "the Bullet" Bonsante's years of stalking archrival Matt "the Predator" Vanda will end Friday when they headline a boxing card at Target Center.
Sam Stanfield sinks career high
WADENA - Sam Stanfield scored a career-high 23 points followed by Megan Zillmer's 16 and Annie Adams' 14, to power the Crosby-Ironton Rangers past the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 78-43 in Mid-State Conference girls' basketball Friday.
Apollo hands Warriors first conference loss
ST. CLOUD - Quickness. Size. Strength. Athleticism. Talent. Experience.
MySpace users tempting targets for crooks
LOS ANGELES - MySpace devotee Kary Rogers was expecting to see a gut-busting video when a friend from the popular online hangout messaged him a link.
Smaller merchants may have trouble getting 'safe' mark under program coming to Web
NEW YORK - As an online shopper, Claudia Race knows she must look out for scams.
Bugged by bugs: Glitches a new-tech byproduct
Tyson J. Carter slept through a hailstorm as he camped outside a Target store to nab a PlayStation 3 in November.
Plastic Internet rabbits and iPod-playing teddy bears face off on desktop, sorta
SAN FRANCISCO - Two cute-as-a-button gadgets could soon find their way to your desk, though youll be hard pressed to explain to your friends and co-workers why you need these desktop companions.
The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday
Waiting on a winter wonderland
Weather drawing by Maura Halverson of Ms. Marks third-grade class at Baxter School.
State forecast for South Dakota
High wind warning northwest south dakota tonight...
State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly cloudy...With decreasing cloudiness through the
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Cloudy or mostly cloudy. A chance of freezing drizzle or flurries in the morning far north. Highs in the lower 30s to lower 40s. Tonight...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance of light snow northwest after midnight. Lows in the 20s to around 30. Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Light snow likely northwest. A chance of light snow northeast and central. Scattered flurries southeast. Highs from around 30 northwest to the lower 40s south.
The Nation's Weather
A pair of strong Pacific storms was expected to slam into the Northwest on Saturday, while rain was forecast along the East Coast.
State forecast for North Dakota
...High wind warning for southwest north dakota late this afternoon
State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 35 to 45.